With eight games to go, a Champions League place seems like it is Newcastle United’s to lose this season – and the triumphant 3,300 travelling fans knew it.
There was an air of confidence the way Newcastle popped the ball around at the King Power Stadium and showed no mercy on a team who will soon be relegated. Little wonder, the United faithful are already singing: “Is this the way to Barcelona?” as they look to close in on a seat at Europe’s top table.
Of course, this performance will need to be backed up, but as Newcastle climbed to fifth, you’d give them every chance of catching Chelsea in fourth place in the run-in.
The home side made a flying start to the game with Jamie Vardy getting free down the right and forcing a save from Nick Pope but they failed to make the most of the resultant corner. But Newcastle soon had the lead and netted in the second minute with their first attack.
And what a move it was as Harvey Barnes released Tino Livramento down the left hand side to open the Foxes up. The England full-back then poised himself and clipped in a superb cross to the back post for Jacob Murphy to apply the finish and score his seventh of the season.
Murphy had been the provider against Brentford but here he showed his prowess when and where it mattered to hand Newcastle a valuable lead just in case Leicester got any ideas. But it was 2-0 with 10 minutes on the clock with the goal coming in crazy fashion.
Centre-back Fabian Schar, who signed a new deal just days ago, spotted keeper Mads Hermansen off his line and opted for the audacious lob! The ball cracked the bar and with Murphy following up to tuck home the rebound and extend Newcastle’s lead even further.
Mid-way through the first half Joelinton won the ball in midfield and slipped to Bruno who then found Barnes on the left. But his effort was deflected wide for a corner which went horrendously wrong and went straight back to the opposition.
Barnes would make it 3-0 on 34 minutes and have the fans who used to adore him heading for the exits. It came as Barnes broke deep from his own half before setting Alexander Isak free on the left.
The ball then broke for Joelinton who forced Hermansen into a fine save low down before Barnes had the easy task of tapping home from close range. And that was the cue for many Leicester fans to call it a night.
Barnes may not have celebrated, but enough salt had been rubbed into open wounds, with the Leicester old boy landing a big blow on his old club’s survival chances. It should have been another one for Howe’s side as Barnes played in Isak but he fired wide on 40 minutes.
Before the break Bruno punted the ball down the right for Murphy who tried his luck with an effort from the flank but it sailed high and wide. But Newcastle settled for a comfortable 3-0 scoreline at the break in a half in which Pope had still been called upon to make a couple of saves.
Leicester made a couple of changes at the break with Stephy Mavididi and Facundo Buonanotte on for Victor Kristiansen and Patson Daka. Yet Howe resisted the temptation to start resting players early in the game.
Livramento won a free-kick high on the left after being hauled back by Justin James who was booked for his trouble. However, the set-piece was wasted as Kieran Trippier curled it over the top on 48 minutes.
Isak won a corner after a raid down the right with 52 minutes gone with Trippier afforded a warm ovation as he went over to take it but Leicester cleared their lines.
Howe began thinking about changes as the game edged towards the hour mark. After much consultation with his coaches, he turned to Sean Longstaff and Lewis Miley to freshen up the midfield.
Mid-way through the second half a poor pass from Hermansen led to Livramento working the ball back to Schar with his long range effort being gathered by the Leicester stopper.
Howe introduced Will Osula and Callum Wilson for the last 18 minutes as the pair replaced Isak and Murphy. Having hit the heights of two goals in the first 11 minutes, it was a crazy standard in which the forward couldn’t quite maintain but he’d done his job.
Late in the game, Wilson almost slipped in Barnes but he hooked it over the bar. Tonali had a chance in the final minute of stoppage time but stroked wide.
But it was job done for Newcastle as they eased to three points and stay on track for a Champions League return.
